Pocono police investigating death of N.Y. college student in hazing ritual

Chun "Michael" Deng, 19, a freshman at Baruch College in Manhattan,…

December 12, 2013|By Manuel Gamiz Jr., Of The Morning Call

A 19-year-old New York City college student died Monday after suffering an injury during a fraternity ritual at a home in the Poconos, police said.

Chun "Michael" Deng, a freshman at Baruch College in Manhattan, was pronounced dead at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital in Luzerne County on Monday morning, a day after he was taken to the hospital by several members of the Pi Delta Psi fraternity, Pocono Mountain Regional police said.

Deng was unresponsive and in critical condition at the hospital when police were dispatched there at 8:15 a.m. Sunday. Detectives learned the injuries happened at a Candlewood Drive home in Tunkhannock Township, about 12 miles west of Stroudsburg.

Doctors placed Deng on life support after finding that he suffered major brain trauma.

The ritual that Deng was taking part in when he was injured is called the "glass ceiling," Monroe County District Attorney David Christine told The New York Times.

During the ritual, a person who is blindfolded and has a heavy object placed on his back must find someone who is calling him. While the blindfolded person tries to find his way, others try to tackle him, the Times reported.

Baruch College on Wednesday issued a statement that it is cooperating fully with law enforcement officers in the investigation. The college said it has a "zero tolerance policy" on hazing.

"The preliminary reports indicate that Michael died over the weekend while participating in an unsanctioned fraternity pledging event in the Poconos," the college said. "Baruch College had no knowledge of this event or that the fraternity was rushing a pledge class. Pi Delta Psi did not request permission nor were they approved by Baruch on this matter."

Andy Meng, the fraternity's national executive chapter, said Deng was hurt during an unsanctioned event, which was "strictly prohibited by our organization."

"As a result of this incident, we are immediately suspending all new member education nationwide until further notice," Meng said in a statement released Thursday.

Detectives with Pocono Mountain Regional police and the Monroe County district attorney's office went to the Candlewood Drive home and found 20 members of the Pi Delta Psi fraternity. Detectives learned that more than 30 members of the frat came to the Poconos from New York City for the weekend.

Deng, one of four pledges to the fraternity, was injured while taking part in the ritual early Sunday in the yard of the home, police said.

The injury left him unresponsive, and he was taken in the home by members of the fraternity. After an undetermined amount of time, members of the fraternity drove him to the emergency room of Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital in Wilkes-Barre.

Baruch College expressed sorrow at Deng's loss.

"Michael's death is a deeply painful reminder that no individual should ever be put into a position where his or her personal safety is in jeopardy," the college said. "Our deepest sympathies go out to Michael's family and his friends both at Baruch and at home."